Warm welcome for Merseyside's New Year's Day babies

Parents David Keate & Gemma Marrin with children David (13) and Coutney (9) with baby Thomas Brian Marrin born at 10:35am weighting 8lb 1oz on New Year's Day in Arrowe Park Hospital.
Picture Jason Roberts.

Her birth was followed by baby Lily Belle Rice at 10.12am at Arrowe Park hospital’s maternity unit and soon after the first baby boy, Thomas Brian Marrin, who came into the world at 10.35am, also at the Wirral maternity unit.

In Liverpool, Amaya’s mum Levi Williams, 20, from Crosby, had a water birth after a two-day labour. She was overjoyed at meeting her baby for the first time.

Little Amaya weighed a healthy 6lbs 3oz.

Proud dad Owen Duffy, also 20, said it was a brilliant way to start the new year.

Nan Michelle Duffy, 41, added: “Everyone is totally thrilled. She is so beautiful. I know Levi’s mum Maxine is also overjoyed.

“Levi did really well. It’s her first baby, she had a water birth and only had gas and air. This is the best new year ever.”

Midwife Cheryl Darnell said Amaya was the first baby born at the hospital in 2014 and congratulated the couple, saying: “The amount of babies delivered on New Year’s Day varies from year to year. We’re delighted for Levi and her family. It’s a wonderful way to start the new year.”

In Wirral, Lily’s mum Lisa and dad Mike Rice were also delighted.

Cute Lily, who weighed 10lbs 5oz, is the couple’s first child and was delivered by caesarean section. Bank worker Lisa, 29, said: “My pregnancy was fine but because I’d gone two weeks overdue, I came in to be induced. She was too comfortable where she was and I had to have a c-section.

“I think her being born on New Year’s Day makes it more exciting.

“New Year’s Day is a lovely day to be born with all the promise of the new year.

Our families are absolutely chuffed.”

Mike, 29, who also works for a bank, said: “It was stressful having to have a c-section but the safety of the baby has to come first.

“It was just fantastic to hold her for the first time. She’s gorgeous. It’s the best feeling in the world.”

Gemma Marrin, 31, from Noctorum, was introducing baby Thomas to the rest of the family.

Brother David, 13, and Courtney, nine, were both pleased to meet their baby brother with their proud dad David Keate, 34.

Thomas weighed 8lbs 1oz.

Gemma said she had a natural delivery and baby number three had been a quicker delivery this time around.

She said: “I can’t believe he’s a new year baby because he wasn’t due until the ninth.

“It makes it more special being the new year though, because it’s a special day.”